Alexander McQueen Makes Clothes to Protect and Empower Women
Whether you’ve been to an Alexander McQueen show or not, you can’t help but notice his clothes are made to protect and empower women. His early collections, including the “bumsters,” established the idea that women’s fashion could be just as stylish as men’s, and his presentation at Max Mara changed the rules on power dressing.
Women’s empowerment by affirming the feminine
Despite a history replete with controversy and a recent bout of anti-female racism, it appears the luxury goods industry is ready to make a case for gender equality. In a world where women drive 70 per cent of consumer purchases, fashion houses are more than willing to take the credit for a gender-inclusive workplace. In this context, a woman on the catwalk may not be all that different from a female on the dance floor. Indeed, fashion designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Bruno Pavlovsky are promoting a gender-positive message with aplomb. And it’s not just the big name brands. In fact, several smaller designers have embraced the cause.
McQueen’s heart and soul are evident throughout his work
Whether you’re looking for a film that demonstrates the brilliance of Alexander McQueen or a movie that showcases his range as an actor, there is a McQueen movie to suit your needs.
McQueen’s best known film is “The Graduate”. This film was inspired by the Victorian mental asylum at SS01 Voss, which he had designed with costume designer Georgina Goodman. The idea was to show the beauty of a Victorian building after a tragedy.
There are many other films that demonstrate his ferocious talent as an artist. He also demonstrates his willingness to stick with a project from start to finish, even when he was ill.
His “bumsters” were established from his earliest collections
Known for his unusual fashion presentations, Alexander McQueen was once dubbed the “hooligan of English fashion”. His early runway shows were renowned for their sarcastic shock tactics and controversial designs.
His first professional runway show was the Nihilism collection. The pieces featured extremely low-cut bumster trousers. The show was held at the Bluebird Garage in Chelsea.
In his second show, McQueen debuted the Banshee collection. In this show, clown make-up models dragged along a golden skeleton. He also had live caged wolves at his Autumn/Winter 2002 collection. This collection was described by Marion Hume of the Independent as a “theatre of cruelty.”
In his third show, McQueen used the theme of roadkill to create The Birds. The pieces were inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 film. One of the pieces was designed by McQueen and was meant to be a commentary on his feelings towards Givenchy. Another piece was a corsetmaker named Mr Pearl.
His influence on nature
Throughout his career, fashion designer Alexander McQueen drew inspiration from nature and the elements. McQueen used natural and synthetic materials to design his garments, and his collections often featured fashions inspired by the natural world. His look would be paired with historic pieces and contemporary art.
In “Mind, Mythos, Muse,” the exhibition at the LACMA, McQueen’s work is displayed alongside his personal inspirations. Among the items on display are McQueen’s famous bird hat, which was crafted by Philip Treacy, and a bird-shaped corset created by Shaun Leane. The exhibition also examines McQueen’s influences, including his Scottish heritage.
In his first collection after graduating, McQueen’s looks portrayed a conflict between the plastic body and the real one. The latex dress with locusts and the cheetah foot were two examples.
His Max Mara presentation changed the rules for power dressing
Founded in 1951, the Italian fashion house of the same name has been around long enough to have developed a few tricks of the trade. From the start, it has been dedicated to providing women with clothing that allows them to look their best. In 2008, it had 2,254 stores in 90 countries. Known for its upmarket ready-to-wear, it has always been the purveyor of quality.
The company’s name is derived from its founding partner Achille Maramotti. From the early ’80s onward, it has been designing a distinctive look for its growing clientele. One of the most interesting aspects of the brand is its ability to adapt to changing tastes and trends. Throughout the decades, the company has used its design expertise to create clothes that meet the needs of contemporary working women.
His relationship with Isabella Blow
Throughout his career, Alexander McQueen was known for his provocative fashion shows. His catwalk presentations often featured wind tunnels, performance art, and the most elaborate costumes. He also collaborated with a number of different craftspeople, including Shaun Leane, Philip Treacy, and Bjork.
In 2003, Alexander McQueen won the international designer of the year award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He was also awarded a CBE. In 2005, he launched his own label, McQ, and in 2007, he partnered with MAC to launch a cosmetics line. In 2010, he teamed up with PUMA on special trainers. In addition, he became the first designer to produce a live-streamed fashion show.
